A GEORGE II PINE CHIMNEYPIECE

Details

A GEORGE II PINE CHIMNEYPIECE
With inverted breakfront mantel, above foliate, dentil and egg-and-dart mouldings and an entwined foliate and floral frieze centred by Venus' shell and flanked by eagle-heads, the side panels with floral and fruiting swags issuing from an acanthus clasp, some small losses to the carving, with later grey and green mottled marble inner slip, now mounted on a modern black-painted panel with lower shelf support, previously decorated
AND A 20TH CENTURY COPPER AND CAST-IRON FIRE-GRATE
The gabled back-plate with raised foliage and central fleur de lys, armorial, above an outscrolled grate with flaming finial support to each side, with one poker
The pine surround: 61 in. (156 cm.) high; 66 in. (168 cm.) wide The aperture: 41 in. (105 cm.) high; 35 in. (89.5 cm.) wide
The panel: 65 in. (166 cm.) high; 70 in. (178 cm.) wide
The fire-grate: 34 in. (87 cm.) high; 25 in. (63.5 cm.) wide; 15 in. (38 cm.) deep (2)

Lot Essay

The dentil-corniced chimneypiece displays a shell-badge festooned with garlands held by eagle heads that emerge from acanthus scrolls in the George II Roman or antique manner. The pilasters are likewise embellished with acanthus flowers issuing garlands of fruit and flower garlands executed in the naturalistic fashion popularised by the sculptor carver Grinling Gibbons (d. 1721). The rich ornament relates to chimneypiece patterns issued by R. Morris in his Architecture Improv'd in a collection of Modern, Useful and Elegant Designs, 1757.

More from Fine English Furniture

View All